Thursday, February 24, 2005
A Byte of Python
If you want to start learning python, but not sure where to start. Here is the best online book/tutorial (Yes, it's free). It's an excellent material and recommended.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
An open source API - To read/import data from tally - part 2
As I mentioned in my earlier post, This should be an API not tool. Instead of just extracting and storing in a predetermined format, It should be based on methods like getCompanyList() which returns list of companies. By this way this API can able to address large number customers, as each and everyone's requirement differs from others. Other accounting software vendors (Like EX, Goodbooks, Wings) or any Custom enterprise developers can utilise this API and integrate with their product.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Dream #1
An open source API - To read/import data from tally
Why I consider an open source API to read/import data from tally is badly needed.
1. Moving to a custom made enterprise application from tally
There are around 1 million official customers for tally. I am sure there will be another half a million unofficial customers (Pirated). Lot of these customers will be using tally for years and when they need to move to their own custom made enterprise applications or different packages from tally as business requirements changes by time, they have left with two choices.
1. Re-Enter all data into the new system
2. Contact tally and pay huge amount of money
How about if they have an open source API, when they moving from tally to a custom made enterprise application. It will be a smooth ride for them.
2. Moving away from pirated version
As we noted early, half a million customers is a big thing. Once government or tally started tightening screws for piracy they will find nowhere to go. I think there are two main reasons, which keeps them in tally. (Apart from it’s great features, one is user interface lock-in and another one is data lock-in.
1. Use interface lock-in
Customers have used to the interface, ctlr-keys and short cuts of tally. Moving away from tally means there will be a big learning curve for them. (We will see what can be done for this in future posts).
2. Data lock-in
It is not always easy to re-enter the bunch of data into a new package, which is very expensive and time-consuming operation
Continues...
Why I consider an open source API to read/import data from tally is badly needed.
1. Moving to a custom made enterprise application from tally
There are around 1 million official customers for tally. I am sure there will be another half a million unofficial customers (Pirated). Lot of these customers will be using tally for years and when they need to move to their own custom made enterprise applications or different packages from tally as business requirements changes by time, they have left with two choices.
1. Re-Enter all data into the new system
2. Contact tally and pay huge amount of money
How about if they have an open source API, when they moving from tally to a custom made enterprise application. It will be a smooth ride for them.
2. Moving away from pirated version
As we noted early, half a million customers is a big thing. Once government or tally started tightening screws for piracy they will find nowhere to go. I think there are two main reasons, which keeps them in tally. (Apart from it’s great features, one is user interface lock-in and another one is data lock-in.
1. Use interface lock-in
Customers have used to the interface, ctlr-keys and short cuts of tally. Moving away from tally means there will be a big learning curve for them. (We will see what can be done for this in future posts).
2. Data lock-in
It is not always easy to re-enter the bunch of data into a new package, which is very expensive and time-consuming operation
Continues...
Usability and killing a useful industry
Joel writes about Microsoft's Antispyware.
Not only that, but I wonder if Microsoft can run an antispyware product without huge conflicts of interest. For example, will they block all the spyware that Real installs on your system? While Real is suing them? Especially when blocking spyware from Real will just give Real more ammunition to use against Microsoft in court? And the next time Microsoft needs a DRM favor from your friendly neighborhood media conglomerate, will the media conglomerate demand exemption from Antispyware removal for their adware in exchange for supporting Windows Media 37.0, with the new brain-zapping feature that prevents you from humming any song unless you bought the performance rights? (A sheet of tinfoil wrapped tightly around your skull is effective against this zapper, I understand.)
I understand that Microsoft wants to help customers who feel like a spyware-free operating system should be your right when you pay for WinXP, but it's a shame that by giving it away free they're likely to wipe out a useful industry and replace it with something that's difficult to trust due to conflicts of interest.
Not only that, but I wonder if Microsoft can run an antispyware product without huge conflicts of interest. For example, will they block all the spyware that Real installs on your system? While Real is suing them? Especially when blocking spyware from Real will just give Real more ammunition to use against Microsoft in court? And the next time Microsoft needs a DRM favor from your friendly neighborhood media conglomerate, will the media conglomerate demand exemption from Antispyware removal for their adware in exchange for supporting Windows Media 37.0, with the new brain-zapping feature that prevents you from humming any song unless you bought the performance rights? (A sheet of tinfoil wrapped tightly around your skull is effective against this zapper, I understand.)
I understand that Microsoft wants to help customers who feel like a spyware-free operating system should be your right when you pay for WinXP, but it's a shame that by giving it away free they're likely to wipe out a useful industry and replace it with something that's difficult to trust due to conflicts of interest.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Welcome to opendreams
This is a blog where I link various interesting (for me) stuff mostly related to Open source, J2EE, EAI and more importantly planning to write my dream(s) and my efforts (if I put any) to realizing them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)